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bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
cnbc.com
India hikes bullion import duties as the world's second-largest gold market faces a declining rupee
The government has imposed a 10% basic customs duty and a 5% tax on gold and silver imports, as per notifications issued on Wednesday.
cnbc.com
Jensen Huang joins Trump's China trip after the U.S. president called the Nvidia CEO
The U.S. chipmaker executive was not included in earlier lists of business leaders participating in President Donald Trump's trip to China this week.
cnbc.com
Asia markets mixed as investors watch Trump-Xi meeting and Iran tensions
Asian markets mixed on Wednesday as investors grappled with hotter-than-expected inflation, U.S.-Iran tensions and U.S.-China trade talks.
cnbc.com
Samsung Electronics recovers $66 billion intraday wipeout after Seoul steps in to calm strike fears
Samsung Electronics reversed steep intraday losses after South Korea’s government urged labor and management to resume talks.
bbc.com
Elon Musk and Tim Cook among CEOs joining Trump on China trip
A total of 17 US executives are set to join the president on his visit, where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
cnbc.com
Trump puts Taiwan arms sales, Hong Kong jailed activist Lai on agenda ahead of meeting with Xi
Trump said Monday that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and the imprisonment of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai would be among the issues at the summit in Beijing.
theguardian.com
Is Big Brother watching you shop? – podcast
From supermarkets to corner shops, live facial recognition could be coming to retailers near you. Jessica Murray on the AI systems increasingly used by the police and storesLive facial recognition is being hailed as a powerful new frontier in the fight against crime, not only by police but by private companies too. Retailers from supermarkets to corner shops hope it will help them fight back against shoplifting.But the Guardian’s social affairs correspondent, Jessica Murray, points out that it will also expand surveillance into more and more public spaces. And the technology doesn’t always get it right. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
For Chinese exporters, Iran worries eclipse tariff woes as Trump, Xi prepare to meet
Heading into the summit, Beijing and Washington will likely reaffirm their shared intention to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore stability in the region.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Wall Street meets its old nemesis: Inflation
March's inflation figures came in hotter than expected, raising the odds of a Fed rate hike and cooling Wall Street's record run.
bbc.com
Plans for Australia's first Trump Tower scrapped due to 'toxic' brand, developer says
The 91-storey luxury hotel on the Gold Coast in Queensland was meant to be Australia's tallest building.
theguardian.com
Three-quarters of UK millionaires would be happy to pay more tax, research finds
Despite concerns super-rich are leaving due to tax burdens, 88% of those surveyed were proud to live in UK and would pay more to fund public servicesNine in 10 UK millionaires are proud to live in Britain and three-quarters would be willing to pay more tax to ensure public assets get the funding they need, according to research.Despite widely reported concerns that the wealthy are choosing to leave the country owing to higher taxes, the survey found millionaires were much more concerned about medical workers moving away than wealthy people emigrating. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Air India crisis deepens ahead of final Ahmedabad crash report
Air India faces a leadership vacuum and mounting financial losses as it struggles to recover from the crash.
cnbc.com
The stock market isn't ignoring Iran. It's rising for these three very real reasons
It's time to take a closer look with stocks rallying into the third month of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
cnbc.com
Consumer prices rose 3.8% annually in April, the highest since May 2023
The consumer price index was expected to increase by 3.7% annually in April, according to the Dow Jones consensus.
theguardian.com
Sam Altman defends OpenAI in courtroom showdown with Elon Musk
The OpenAI chief rejects claims he deceived Elon Musk as high-stakes AI trial nears its endSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, took the stand on Tuesday to defend himself and his company against a lawsuit by Elon Musk. Altman is set to be one of the final witnesses in the trial, which has pitted two of the tech industry’s most powerful men against each other in a dramatic courtroom showdown.Musk has accused Altman and OpenAI of breaking the AI firm’s founding agreement by restructuring it into a for-profit enterprise, alleging that Altman essentially swindled him into co-founding the company and providing tens of millions in financial backing. Musk also claims Altman unjustly enriched himself in the process and is seeking the CEO’s removal from OpenAI, the redistribution of $134bn to the firm’s non-profit and the undoing of its for-profit conversion. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Qualcomm drops 11% as chip stocks pull back from record AI-driven rally
The recent rally has shown a broadening of the AI trade beyond chipmaking giant Nvidia.
cnbc.com
Traders will soon be able to bet on computer chip prices as AI drives costs skyward
Contracts can be used to hedge against rising GPU rental rates and other operational costs
cnbc.com
Google races to put Gemini at the center of Android before Apple’s AI reboot
Google is using its latest Android rollout to position Gemini as the AI layer across phones, Chrome, laptops and cars.
bbc.com
Elon Musk said control of OpenAI should go to his children, Sam Altman tells jury
Sam Altman said Elon Musk tried many times for total control of OpenAI, which he's now suing.
cnbc.com
Companies start getting tariff refunds after Supreme Court decision
After the Supreme Court ruled some of President Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, the first wave of tariff refunds have begun flowing in.
bbc.com
US inflation jumps to 3.8% as energy costs surge from Iran war
The key measure of US inflation rises its highest level since May 2023 as consumers feel the impact of the Iran war.
cnbc.com
Hims & Hers plummets 13% after first-quarter loss, weak earnings guidance
Hims & Hers reached a deal with Novo Nordisk in March to sell its GLP-1 weight loss drug Wegovy on its platform.
cnbc.com
Trump doesn't need Congress to restart Iran strikes: Hegseth
The Iran war, now well into its third month, has caused oil prices to soar globally as Iran continues to lock down the Strait of Hormuz.
theguardian.com
JP Morgan could scrap £3bn London HQ if Starmer is replaced by PM ‘hostile to banks’
Jamie Dimon says US banking giant could rethink Canary Wharf tower if a future Labour leader targets lendersThe boss of JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon, has warned he could scrap plans to build a new £3bn UK headquarters in London if Keir Starmer is replaced by a new Labour prime minister who is hostile to banks.JP Morgan revealed plans last November to build the tower in Canary Wharf, hours after lenders were spared tax hikes in Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget following strong lobbying by the banking sector. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Investor jitters over Starmer uncertainty drive UK borrowing costs to 28-year high
Bond yields soar and pound falls against dollar as investors brace for potential Labour leadership changeLong-term UK borrowing costs soared to the highest level in almost three decades on Tuesday as fears about a change of Labour leadership triggered investor jitters and warnings of further bond market turmoil.With investors worried about potential changes to Labour’s tax and spending plans, the yield – in effect the interest rate – on 30-year government bonds, or gilts, hit a high on Tuesday of 5.81%, a rise of 14 basis points and the highest since 1998. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
EBay rejects GameStop's $56 billion takeover bid, calling it 'neither credible nor attractive'
Many analysts questioned the deal, citing concerns about how GameStop would finance the transaction and the strategic rationale.
theguardian.com
Google announces raft of free upgrades for Android phones
Tech firm to expand AI capabilities of high-end devices with Gemini Intelligence and says new range of laptops on the wayGoogle has announced a range of features coming to Android phones this year, including a new Gemini Intelligence AI system and a tool to help users avoid distracting apps.Revealed in a livestreamed “Android Show” event, the free upgrades are scheduled to arrive in waves over the next year for high-end new and old phones alike, including Samsung and Pixel devices. Google also revealed that a new lineup of laptops will arrive in the autumn. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
GameStop hits the limits of credibility with $55.5bn eBay bid | Nils Pratley
The ‘meme stock’ company is remembered for Reddit traders sending its share price into orbit but its move on the auction site looks less likely to take offGameStop’s $55.5bn bid for eBay rejected as ‘neither credible nor attractive’“Neither credible nor attractive.” No, not a line from a junior minister’s resignation letter on Tuesday. It was eBay’s succinct appraisal of the bizarre $55.5bn (£41bn) takeover offer from video games retailer GameStop, an affair that offers light distraction from the sight of UK 10-year gilt yields at 5%-plus.To recap: GameStop is the “meme stock” company that became famous a few years ago when amateur traders on a Reddit forum piled in furiously in an attempt to burn the short-sellers who were betting on the struggling retailer’s demise. Surprisingly, the Redditers succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The squeeze drove up GameStop’s share price hundredfold, inflicting hell on serious hedge funds and making the company’s chief executive, Ryan Cohen, an anti-establishment hero. Continue reading...
bbc.com
UK borrowing costs jump as uncertainty over PM's future continues
The possibility of a change of leadership in the UK has unsettled some investors and sent bond yields higher.
theguardian.com
Trams are the best way to get Britain moving | Letter
Responding to an article on Vienna’s public transport, Prof Lewis Lesley praises trams’ value for money in alleviating city congestionYour article (Vienna’s public transport is the envy of the world – so why can’t it ditch cars?, 6 May) is a real challenge for UK politicians and policymakers.In March, Create Streets, Freewheeling and the Campaign for Better Transport, supported by the RAC Foundation, published the report Towns and Trams, advocating the use of trams to unblock city congestion, as in Vienna. Sadly, the tram scheme for Leeds is on ice until the late 2030s. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Head of Microsoft’s Israel branch to step down after inquiry into dealings with Israeli military
The inquiry came after the Guardian revealed Israel used company technology to support mass surveillance of Palestinian phone callsThe head of Microsoft’s Israeli subsidiary will step down in the wake of an inquiry that has scrutinised its business dealings with the Israeli military.Microsoft ordered the inquiry last year in response to a Guardian investigation revealing the military had used the company’s technology to operate a powerful surveillance system that collected Palestinian civilian phone calls on a mass scale. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
European stocks close lower, sterling slides on UK political turmoil
European stocks were in negative territory as prospects for a speedy resolution to the U.S.-Iran war appear increasingly remote.
theguardian.com
BBC staff fear meagre pay rise after bosses forgo own increase
Workers told to be realistic about outcome of union talks as corporation aims to make savings with job cutsBBC staff have been told their bosses will forgo a pay rise this year but fear the freeze will lead to a meagre increase for the rank and file, who have been urged to be realistic about the outcome of union negotiations.Employees have been told that the corporation’s executive committee – its 12 highest-paid bosses including the director general, who were paid almost £5m in total last year – will have their pay frozen this year amid a £600m cost-cutting drive. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Here's the inflation breakdown for April 2026 — in one chart
The Iran war has pushed up gasoline, groceries and other prices for consumers.
theguardian.com
US inflation jumped to 3.8% in April as war with Iran continues to drive up prices
Prices rose 3.8% over the last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highest jump since 2023Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailUS inflation jumped to 3.8% in April as the war in the Middle East continued to drive energy prices and everyday costs for Americans.Prices rose 3.8% over the last year, according to the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest jump since 2023. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Pity the poor billionaires – demands for higher taxes must feel hurtful | Arwa Mahdawi
No wonder they are upset by the slogan ‘tax the rich’. Despite their wealth increasing 81% since 2020, they need our emotional support now more than everWon’t anyone think of the poor, poor, billionaires? Their endless money can buy them political power, but it can’t buy them love. Instead of being worshipped by the hoi polloi, titans of industry are denounced! Despised! Disrespected! Insert another D-word of your own!Thankfully, class solidarity is strong among the super-rich. Steve Roth bravely brought attention to the plight of his fellow billionaires during a recent earnings call. “I consider the phrase ‘tax the rich’ … spit out with anger and contempt by politicians … to be just as hateful as some disgusting racial slurs,” the Vornado Realty Trust CEO said. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Asia markets trade mixed as investors weigh Trump’s ceasefire warning
Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors weighed fresh doubts over the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
bbc.com
eBay rejects $55.5bn offer from GameStop
The online auction giant said it doubted how the video game retailer would finance its offer.
cnbc.com
Behind Big Oil’s first-quarter beat: The quiet rise of trading desks
Europe's oil supermajors highlighted trading contributions as they reported stronger-than-expected profits through the first three months of the year.
cnbc.com
India’s inflation in April rises for sixth straight month, but undershoots estimates
Disruptions from the Middle East conflict pose a risk to India's economic growth and inflation.
theguardian.com
The end of typing? Why workers are suddenly ditching their keyboards
Employees are now whispering to AI voice dictation tools rather than clacking the keys. Will ‘voicepilling’ make everyone more productive – or just more annoying?Name: Voicepilled.Age: Reid Hoffman first declared himself “voicepilled” in the autumn of last year. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
UK MPs are turning on PM Starmer — now analysts say he's unlikely to last the year
Analysts have slashed the odds of Starmer facing a leadership challenge by September.
theguardian.com
GameStop’s $55.5bn bid for eBay rejected as ‘neither credible nor attractive’
Online marketplace takes into account uncertainty around US video game retailer’s financing proposalThe board of eBay has rejected the US video games retailer GameStop’s surprise $55.5bn bid (£41bn) for the online marketplace, describing the proposal as “neither credible nor attractive”.Earlier this month, GameStop made an unsolicited bid for eBay, publishing a letter on its website outlining a half-cash, half-stock proposal. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Water firm fined after customers' details hacked
The hack went undetected by the Staffordshire firm for 20 months, regulator says.
theguardian.com
US workers overwhelmingly support union-backed policies on AI, poll says
Nine out of 10 workers express support for policies on artificial intelligence that labor unions may fight forUS workers overwhelmingly support pro-worker policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and view labor unions as the most reliable protectors of workers from the effects of AI, according to a new poll released by the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the US.More than nine out of 10 workers surveyed expressed support for policies on artificial intelligence that labor unions may fight for, including 95% supporting a requirement that a human be the final decision maker on any issues affecting individual workers and their employment. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
SoftBank has injected $450 million into this British AI chip company
U.K.-based Graphcore is developing AI chips and systems and was acquired by the Japanese giant in 2024.
theguardian.com
Lotus boss calls for UK government support as it commits to Norfolk plant
Sports carmaker extends lifespan of petrol-engined Emira, made in Norfolk, to continue to cater for US marketThe boss of the luxury sports carmaker Lotus has called for government support for its UK factory as the Chinese-owned company insisted it will not abandon its British roots.Lotus said it had extended the lifespan of the £80,000 Emira petrol-engined sports car, made by 900 employees in its factory in Norfolk, in order for the brand to continue to serve the US market. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's ‘addictive design’ targeting kids on social media
"We are investigating platforms that allow children to go down "rabbit holes" of harmful content," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
bbc.com
Texas accuses Netflix of spying on users, including children
The lawsuit comes amid increased scrutiny over platform features like auto-play that deliver endless content to users.
theguardian.com
The global sand crisis: it’s being used up faster than it can be replaced
It is the most extracted solid material on Earth – but this extraction can threaten ecosystems and livelihoodsMalé is one of the world’s most overcrowded cities, but it faces double pressure. As well as a growing population, the capital of the Maldives is also threatened by rising sea levels. Owing to climate breakdown, its living space is shrinking.So the justification for a land reclamation project seemed clear. Take sand from elsewhere in the archipelago and use it to build up the land available for Malé’s people. What could go wrong? After all, it’s only sand, right? Continue reading...
bbc.com
China should stop hoarding food and fertiliser, says former World Bank chief
David Malpass also said that Beijing's claim to be a developing nation was no longer credible.
theguardian.com
‘There’s too much risk’: Britons on changing holiday plans amid Iran war
Prospect of flight cancellations and petrol shortages prompt people to switch from air and road to rail and busThe Middle East crisis, now in its 11th week, has resulted in higher fuel prices for drivers and prompted fears of jet fuel shortages, rising air fares and cancelled flights.Given the uncertain outlook, prospect of higher travel costs and potential disruption, we asked whether people had changed their holiday plans. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Five former Carillion executives banned by accountancy regulator
Richard Adam, Zafar Khan and three others are also fined by Financial Reporting CouncilFive former executives at the collapsed government contractor Carillion have been banned by the UK’s accountancy regulator, effectively ending the career of its former finance chief, after they “acted recklessly”.Before Carillion collapsed into compulsory liquidation in January 2018 – one of the biggest corporate failures in UK history – it was a large multinational construction and facilities management services company and employed 43,000 people around the world. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Snack giant switches to black and white packaging as Iran war hits ink supplies
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global supplies of energy and petrochemicals.
theguardian.com
Buyers of Liza Minnelli memoir claim it was not signed by hand
Premium editions of Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! cost up to $250 but some say signatures are unnaturally identicalLiza Minnelli fans who bought signed copies of her memoir are seeking refunds because they believe her signature is fake.Copies of Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! by the American 80-year-old singer were marketed around the world as “hand-signed collectibles”, with premium editions costing up to $250 (£185). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump heads to China to spread the gospel of American tech while emulating Xi Jinping on AI
Tim Cook and Elon Musk, among other tech CEOS, will accompany the US president on a trip to ChinaDonald Trump is heading to China this week. If his guest list is any clue, he wants to discuss technology with Xi Jinping, though perhaps after the war in Iran.On Monday, news broke that outgoing Apple CEO, Tim Cook, as well as SpaceX and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, would join the US president. Other guests from the tech sphere include Meta’s recently appointed president, Dina Powell McCormick; Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of computer memory maker Micron; Chuck Robbins, CEO of longtime telecom giant Cisco; and Cristiano Amon, CEO of semiconductor maker Qualcomm, according to a White House official. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fifa’s failure to agree World Cup TV deals in China and India a headache for Infantino
With the tournament a month away, there are still no agreements done with the two Asian giants to ensure fans there can watch all 104 gamesWhen Fifa expanded the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, it was in the hope that countries such as India and China, with their 2.7 billion residents, would qualify rather than countries such as Cape Verde and Curaçao, whose combined population of about 700,000 barely equals a district of a megacity such as Mumbai or Shanghai. What the governing body did not account for was that, with the 2026 tournament a month away, there would be no broadcasting deals done with the two Asian giants to ensure fans there can watch the 104 games.A few months ago, Fifa was said to be offering this World Cup, and the next, to New Delhi and Beijing for respective sums of $100m (£73m) and between $250m and $300m. There have been no deals struck despite the asking price falling steadily. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Can Starmer ‘keep calm and carry on?'
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a crunch cabinet meeting this morning, after failing to quell a growing party rebellion.
theguardian.com
British Steel nationalisation: what went wrong, and what happens now?
Keir Starmer’s plan for full state ownership marks latest chapter in Scunthorpe plant’s troubled historyFull nationalisation of British Steel expected in king’s speechNils Pratley: More questions than answers on the futureFour queens – blast furnaces named after Anne, Bess (Elizabeth), Victoria and Mary – loom over the British Steel works at Scunthorpe. Within days the queens could be under public ownership, after Keir Starmer on Monday promised legislation to nationalise the plant.“Strong nations in a world like this need to make steel,” Starmer said on Monday in a speech. The prime minister was hoping decisive action would fend off challenges to his leadership. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Royal Caribbean ‘unfairly’ charged me over booking for disabled son
We had booked a cruise for him and his carers, but we had a string of problems when we tried to change namesIn November 2024, I booked a cruise for my wife, myself and our severely disabled son for this July. I’d booked well in advance to ensure an accessible cabin for my son. At home, he needs round-the-clock care from a rota of eight carers, so we made extra bookings for three to accompany him.Because the care team has other commitments, I couldn’t confirm their names at the time of booking and was told to do so by this April, when the balance had to be paid. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Iran war oil shortage forces Japan snack giant to use black-and-white packaging
Calbee to switch its brightly coloured packaging to black and white because war has disrupted supply of certain raw materials used in inkJapan’s biggest snack maker has been forced to use black-and-white packaging for some flagship products because of ink ingredient shortages caused by the strait of Hormuz blockade.Calbee, whose potato chip brands in particular are known for brightly coloured bag designs, said 14 of its products would switch to monochrome branding by the end of May. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse
The BYD factory being built in Szeged, Hungary, is facing scrutiny after reports of EU labour laws being violated among the Chinese migrant workforce Multilingual signs in most airports in the EU opt for English, but in Hungary, there is also Chinese, making it easy for migrant workers flying in to staff China’s first electric car plant in Europe – due to open in 2027.The third language was introduced in 2019 as the recently ousted leader Viktor Orbán embarked on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China, positioning himself as its most reliable friend in Europe. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Asia's trillion-dollar titans are powering — and distorting — its fastest growing stock markets
Taiwan's Taiex and South Korea's Kospi stock markets have been seeing record breaking rallies. The stunning surge leaves experts wondering if this growth hinges largely on a few AI-linked semiconductor giants.
bbc.com
Dua Lipa sues Samsung for $15m over use of her image on TV boxes
The pop star's legal team alleges a photograph of her face was used on Samsung television boxes without permission.
cnbc.com
Five things to watch in Asia as Trump prepares to meet China's Xi this week
The U.S. and Chinese presidents are scheduled to gather in Beijing on Thursday and Friday amid a packed week of diplomatic meetings.
bbc.com
Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking
Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.
cnbc.com
Singapore flags weaker tourism spending as global travel industry faces uncertainty
Singapore expects tourism spending to ease from last year’s record, even as visitor arrivals continue to rise.
bbc.com
How driving test booking is changing for learner drivers
From 12 May, only learner drivers can book their own tests, not instructors.
theguardian.com
Riding the D in Los Angeles: city famous for traffic hopes new subway stations will be a ‘game changer’
Transit advocates laud first stations to open in city in more than 25 years, with World Cup and Olympics coming to town The roughly 12-mile (19km) drive along Wilshire Boulevard from Los Angeles’s downtown core to its Westside region can be a soul-crushing experience. The road is among the busiest in Los Angeles, winding through Westlake, Koreatown, the famed Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood and Santa Monica before ending at the bluffs overlooking the Pacific coast highway, a journey that can take an hour or even two at rush hour.For decades, Angelenos accepted this time-eating crawl as fate. But this week, traversing this bustling corridor reached another level – about 50-70ft underground to be precise. How about Union Station to Beverly Hills in 21 minutes? Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump says Iran ceasefire is 'on life support' after rejecting Tehran's counterproposal
The testy U.S.-Iran ceasefire began in mid-April after Trump threatened to destroy Iran's "whole civilization" if no deal was struck.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on World Cup ticket prices: $33,000? You’re having a laugh … | Editorial
Fifa’s embrace of dynamic pricing and resale markets has led to sky-high costs and a speculative free-for-all, betraying the spirit of the beautiful gameIn What Money Can’t Buy, his 2012 critique of a world where everything is for sale, Michael Sandel laments what he calls “the skyboxification of American life”. Price gouging and profiteering, Mr Sandel notes, can exclude millions from communal experiences that should unite people, rather than divide them according to the size of their wallets. That is “not good for democracy, nor is it a satisfying way to live”.Ahead of the men’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next month, millions of football fans would readily agree with the Harvard philosopher. Gianni Infantino, the president of the sport’s global governing body, Fifa, has predicted that this summer’s tournament will be the “greatest and most inclusive … ever”. But the lead-up has been overshadowed by a ticketing strategy that is almost surreally indifferent to the battered traditions of “the people’s game”.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Oil price predicted to remain above $100 for rest of year
Investment bank JP Morgan expects oil to remain in the "low $100s" even if the Strait of Hormuz were to reopen next month.
theguardian.com
British Steel: more questions than answers on the future | Nils Pratley
Hard decisions over a possible sale and future subsidies loom now full nationalisation is on the cardsFull nationalisation of British Steel expected in king’s speech“One of the proudest things we have done in government,” said Keir Starmer in Monday’s big speech about the decision a year ago to recall parliament in order to take control of British Steel at Scunthorpe.It was an odd boast because last year’s action was merely an emergency exercise in saving the patient, as opposed to getting British Steel on its feet and out of the hospital. Taking control meant the Chinese owner, Jingye, could not turn off the two blast furnaces but meant the government was on the hook for operational losses, which will be £615m and counting by next month according to the National Audit Office (NAO). Continue reading...
bbc.com
TikTok launches £3.99 subscription for no ads in UK
Those who don't subscribe will be able to use the platform for free - but be shown personalised ads by default.
bbc.com
Ovo energy customers urged not to panic as takeover planned
All existing tariffs will be honoured in full under a planned deal that could create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers.
cnbc.com
‘The haters will hate’: Dan Ives predicts Nasdaq 30,000 as AI rally expands
A solid tech earnings season has seen investor jitters earlier this year evaporate
bbc.com
Heathrow sees passenger dip amid Iran conflict
The west London airport said 6.7 million passengers travelled through Heathrow in April.
bbc.com
British Steel nationalisation plans announced by Starmer
The steelworks has been under government control for almost a year, but leglistation to nationalise it will be put forward this week.
theguardian.com
Forget the AI job apocalypse. AI’s real threat is worker control and surveillance
A new divide is emerging: between workers who use AI at work and those who are managed by itThe real danger that artificial intelligence poses to work is not just job loss – it is the growing divide between people who use AI to extend their skills and those whose working lives are increasingly shaped by opaque, AI-powered systems of surveillance and control.The debate about artificial intelligence and how it will affect workers is stuck in the wrong place. On one side are warnings that machines are coming for millions of jobs. On the other are claims that AI will turbocharge productivity. Both stories miss what is already happening in workplaces across the world, from Britain to Kenya to the United States. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Trump's China visit set to test fragile truce
The first US presidential visit to China in almost 10 years will test a fragile tariff truce.
theguardian.com
Can you move your pension to dodge inheritance tax? Fraudsters say so
Criminals exploit confusion or anxiety over new IHT rules by offering a ‘safe haven’ for savings potsThe caller pitches a great deal. Shift the moneysaved in your pension and reinvest it in a scheme overseas where you can avoid it being caught under next year’s changes to the UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) system.From April next year, any money left in a defined contribution pension after your death, which is most workplace and all private pensions, will be pulled into the IHT net. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
I was fined £500 for putting a cigarette butt in a refuse sack
Haringey council’s penalty seems extortionate – especially when other authorities charge lower amountsI read your story about a man fined £500 for dropping a cigarette butt on the pavement.I have been issued with a £500 fixed-penalty notice (FPN) by Haringey council for putting a butt in a refuse sack awaiting collection on the street. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK savings: six traps to avoid when you’re finding a new deal
If you are looking for a new account, there are some good rates around, but also pitfalls to watch out forEarning as much as 7% on your savings sounds great – but what’s the catch? The top-paying accounts often come with strings attached, which could mean your money is not working as hard as you thought.That’s important because there is a lot of cash sitting in fixed-rate savings accounts that are about to reach the end of their term. The total amount in accounts maturing between April and June is £90bn, according to the savings app Spring – and that money will need to find a new home. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Haggling prices and chasing debts - tradespeople hit with cost of living headache
More than half of tradespeople have seen an increase of late payments compared to a year ago, a survey finds.
bbc.com
Council confirms £300 heating oil support
"Residents should not be left behind simply because they are off the gas grid," council leader says.
theguardian.com
Hantavirus cruise ship passengers 'remain asymptomatic' before flights home – video
Spanish health minister Monica Garcia says all those onboard a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship were 'asymptomatic' after it arrived in Tenerife in the Canary Islands on Sunday. Everyone disembarking will be checked for symptoms, authorities say, and be taken off the ship only once evacuation flights are ready to fly them to their destinationsArgentina in spotlight over hantavirus as authorities retrace footsteps of ship’s passengersDozens of people from cruise ship struck by hantavirus leave Tenerife Continue reading...
bbc.com
My sister was spending £1,000 a month on drink from delivery apps
A woman who wants tighter restrictions on alcohol deliveries is working with Dry January charity.
bbc.com
Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.
bbc.com
No summer border delays for Brits, Greek tourism minister says
Olga Kefalogianni says the Greek government doesn't want visitors to be "burdened" by biometric checks.
bbc.com
This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here is what to check so you don't
It's essential to read your policy details carefully - here's a checklist to tick off before you set off on your travels.
theguardian.com
‘Degree of complacency’: are supply chains prepared for impact of ongoing Iran war?
The economic warnings are bleak, but full extent of shortages are still not felt for many European countriesThe biggest energy shock in modern history, jet fuel shortages “within weeks”, a global recession – since Iran throttled shipping flows through the strait of Hormuz at the end of February the economic warnings have become increasingly dire.Yet 10 weeks on from the first US-Israeli attacks, share indices, companies and governments have been surprisingly sanguine. Every day the divergence grows between the eerie quiet on markets and alarming warnings of an imminent supply chain crunch. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Cape Verde bets on tech to reverse postcolonial brain drain
African archipelago hopes startups, digital infrastructure and diaspora investment can transform its economyFor much of its history since its discovery by the Portuguese in the mid-15th century, the Cape Verde archipelago off the coast of west Africa served as a hub of the international slave trade, with Africans forcibly transported to marketplaces before being distributed across the Americas and Europe.Now, almost 150 years since slavery was abolished in Cape Verde, and just over 50 years since independence from Portugal, Pedro Fernandes Lopes wants the country to become a beacon for the free movement of human and financial capital across the African diaspora. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Defence sovereignty: Europe races to build the low-cost weapons of future
With Trump wavering on Nato and war in Ukraine, Europe is scrambling to spend billions on weapons such as dronesIn a small workshop in England’s East Midlands, engineers at the British startup Skycutter are designing weapons for Ukraine. A row of 3D printers make the fuselage for interceptor drones, while parts such as motors and navigation chips are slotted together by hand. The same process happens hundreds of thousands of times a month in partner Ukrainian factories.The swarms of cheap, deadly and often autonomous drones deployed in that war have already changed combat completely. Troops far behind the frontline must move constantly to avoid attack from the air, travelling along netted tunnels and landscapes crisscrossed by fibre optic cables used to steer drones past radio jamming. Cities are terrorised by guided missiles that are cheaper and therefore more widely used than those that came before. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Sunday read: Paul Daley on going the distance in an EV - podcast
Amid fuel insecurity due to the US-Israel war on Iran, Guardian Australia columnist Paul Daley takes his first holiday driving an electric vehicle. Staring down the uncertainty of a long drive and battery-charging breaks – he learns something beautiful along the wayYou can subscribe for free to Guardian Australia’s daily news podcast Full Story on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Google developers significantly misstate carbon emissions of proposed UK datacentres
Emissions understated by factor of five in Essex plans for tech giant, while Greystoke’s Lincolnshire plans show similar errorDevelopers working for Google have significantly misstated how much carbon two proposed AI datacentres will contribute to the UK’s total emissions in planning documents reviewed by the Guardian.The tech company wants to build two huge datacentres – one 52-hectare (130 acre) project in Thurrock and another at an airfield in North Weald, both in Essex. To do so, developers are required to submit planning documents calculating how much carbon these projects will emit as a proportion of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy
Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.
bbc.com
How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'
The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.
bbc.com
The UK is set for a staycation summer - and there are plenty of hidden gems
Seasoned staycationers share their favourite spots as Airbnb and Booking.com say interest in UK stays are up on last year.
bbc.com
Major train operator to be renationalised in months
GWR, which runs trains between London and South Wales, will come under government control.
theguardian.com
Is ‘tax the rich’ really hate speech? Won’t someone think of the billionaires? | Fiona Katauskas
The top 1% have it hard, tooSee more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...
bbc.com
US jet fuel could be used in Europe to ease possible shortages
An international air body suggests wider acceptance of US-grade jet fuel could help to head off any supply problems.
bbc.com
Housing market 'fragile due to global unrest'
Jersey estate agents say there is uncertainty in the market due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
bbc.com
Watch: Drone delivers first Amazon parcels in UK
The tech giant says it hopes to slowly expand the service as the demand for ultra-fast deliveries grows.
bbc.com
Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict
Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.
bbc.com
Why did Paddington Bear need a police escort?
Rav Wilding joins us with the latest crime headlines. From a shocking BBC investigation exposing scammers abusing dogs to con animal lovers, to how to spot a shop used by organised crime — plus why Paddington Bear needed a police escort
bbc.com
Why are there so many vape shops on our high streets?
New research has shown a 28% growth in shops selling vape products in Scottish towns and cities.
bbc.com
Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Will AI lead to more accurate opinion polls?
It's cheaper and faster to collect people's opinions using AI, but will it make polls more accurate?
bbc.com
The kelp producer who wants to get Americans eating seaweed
Marine farmer Suzie Flores also hopes the crop can revitalise the US's small fishing towns.
bbc.com
Why has the UAE left Opec - and why does this matter?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is quitting oil cartel Opec after nearly 60 years of membership.
bbc.com
Why Spotify has no button to filter out AI music
Music streamer Deezer allows users to filter out AI music, so why does Spotify not offer the same?
bbc.com
How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific
Tuna populations around the Pacific Islands could move away as ocean temperatures increase.
bbc.com
From scientist to silk farmer: India's silk industry renewal
Silk production is an increasingly high-tech business in India.
bbc.com
What the Warner Bros deal could mean for streaming, cinemas and news
If Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros goes ahead it could significantly reshape Hollywood.
bbc.com
How a pivot to hair accessories led to business success
Jenny Lennick's colourful hair clips are sold across the US and around the world.
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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